Issue - meetings

Transport Scotland advised in their written note that the Ferries Plan 2013-22 contains a commitment to fully roll out RET on the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services network within the term of the Parliament.  This commitment was achieved in October 2015.  The Ferries Plan also stated Transport Scotland’s intention to roll out RET to all lifeline services.  Introducing RET on the Gourock – Dunoon services now would increase fares for a large number of users. While the published fares are higher than RET, many users currently acquire discounted tickets.  Both Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries facilitate these reduced fares through commercial agents.  Consideration of fare levels will be given once the outcome of the Ferry Services Procurement Policy Review is known and the future of Gourock – Dunoon town centre to town centre ferry service is clearer.  The ‘Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot’ report by Halcrow Group Limited was published in July 2011.  The report sets out indicative RET fares and presented the total revenue impact for Firth of Clyde routes.  The report also included the analysis of the benefits of rolling out RET across the network in general.  The Ferries Plan 2013-22 stated our intention to roll out RET to all lifeline services.  However, there is no commitment to timing or funding for introducing RET on such ferry services.  Further consideration of fare levels on the Gourock – Dunoon ferry service will be given once the outcome of the Ferry Services Procurement Policy Review is known.

Gordon Ross of Western Ferries felt this update from Transport Scotland was contradictory to the position adopted for other routes, as discussed at Holyrood during question time in September.

OUTCOME

The Group:

1. Noted the information provided;
2. Asked that a letter be sent to the Transport Minister, highlighting inconsistency in the roll out of RET noting the benefits associated with this and requested that they introduce this on the Dunoon-Gourock and McInroy’s Point-Hunter’s Quay routes as soon as possible; and
3. Asked the Area Governance Officer to establish if any Councillor can attend the A83 Task Force Group or if only those appointed can attend.